Electric lamp or fuse socket

ABSTRACT

An electrical socket member is provided and includes an inner end center contact and contact shielding structure is mounted within the socket and shiftable laterally thereof between a first position overlying and thus shielding the contact and a second position disposed to one side of and thus exposing the contact. The contact shielding structure is spring-biased to the contact shielding position thereof and a centrally apertured abutment is mounted in the socket for inward and outward shifting therein and is operatively connected to the contact shielding structure for swinging the latter toward its contact exposing position in response to inward shifting of the abutment in the socket, the abutment being engageable by the base of a bulb being threaded into the socket for inward displacement of the abutment and thus shifting of the shielding structure to the contact-exposing position thereof as the bulb base approaches a fully seated position in the socket.

United States Patent 1191 Sinclair May 21, 1974 ELECTRIC LAMP OR FUSE SOCKET Primary Egaminerllobby"RP (iay Assistant xaminererre ewis [75 1 Inventor g'fi Smclalr Columbus Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Har

vey B. Jacobson [73] Assignee: James F. Cox, Xenia, Ohio a part "Item [57 ABSTRACT [22] Filed! July 1972 An electrical socket member is provided and includes an inner end center contact and contact shielding [2U Appl' 270068 structure is mounted within the socket and shiftable laterally thereof between a first position overlying and U-S. thus the ontact and a Second position dislllt- H01! 13/44, 1 33/54 posed to one side of and thus exposing the contact. Field Of Search! 338/36, 40, 1 1 178-180, The contact shielding structure is spring-biased to the 2O0/5109 contact shielding position thereof and a centrally apertured abutment is mounted in the socket for inward References Cited and outward shifting therein and is operatively con- UNITED STATES PATENTS nected to the contact shielding structure for swinging 2.181.050 11 1939 Evans 339/ the latter toward its Contact exposing Position in 2.221.34s 11/1940 Davis 339/180 x sponse to inward Shifting of the abutment in 2.688.669 9/1954 Quill 339/180 X socket, the abutment being engageable by the base of 2,747.168 5/1956 Arena 339/180 X a bulb being threaded into the socket for inward disl.743,900 l/l930 Nielson 339/l X placement of the abutment and thus hifting 0f the 19031086 3/1933 Benjamin 339/ X shielding structure to the contact-exposing position 3.579,l7l 5/l97l Woodward 339/36 X thereof as the bulb base approaches a fully seated position in the socket.

9 Claims, '4 Drawing Figures ELECTRIC LAMP OR FUSE SOCKET This invention relates to a novel and useful electric lamp or fuse socket and more specifically to a socket member of the type defining an elongated outwardly opening socket andincluding at least one side wall portion defining first electrical contact portion and a second center contact portion disposed in the inner end of the socket with the first and second contact portions adapted for electrical connection with corresponding contact elements of the base portion of a lamp or fuse positioned within the-socket member.

The socket member of the instant invention includes shielding means disposed within the socket member between the center contact portion thereof and the outer end of the socket defined by the socket member and movable between afirst out-of-the-way position and a second center contact portion shielding position preventing accidental engagement of the shielded second contact portion by the fingers of a person attempting to insert a lamp or fuse base within the socket.

Many persons have receivedminor as well as lethal shocks as a result of unintentionally bridging the contacts of an electric socket with their fingers while trying to replace an electric bulb or fuse within the socket. It is accordingly the main object of this invention to provide means whereby it will be substantially impossible fora person to insert a finger into an electric socket member in a manner bridging the two contact portions of the socket member so as to receive a shock.

Another object of athis invention is to provide an imvention and illustrating the base portion of an-electric light bulb partially inserted into the socket member, portions of the bulb and socket member being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of thecontact shielding assembly of the socket member;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the contact shielding mechanism or assembly and the sleeve-like abutment member constituting the improvement of the instant invention which may be readily inserted into con ventional socket members of the type illustrated for modifying existing socket members in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the assemblage illustrated in FIG. 3.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral 10 generally designates a conventional form of electric light socket such as that found on conventional lamps. The socket 10 includes a socket member referred to in general by the reference numeral 12 and including a dielectric base 14 and a metallic threaded An insulative sleeve 22 is conventionally disposed about the base 14 and the sleeve 16 and a further metallic sleeve 24 is also conventionally telescoped over the sleeve 22 to form a portion of the outer housing 0 the socket l0.

The socket 10 includes an automatic shielding assemblygenerally referred to by the reference numeral 26 thereby enablingthecenter contact of the socket to be engaged by the baseiportionbeing axially inserted into the socket member.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the preceding objects, is to provide an improved socket member which may be utilized in the construction of conventional threadedsockets as well as other types of sockets such as those adapted to receive a bayonet-type base of a fuse or electric light bulb.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide an improved socket member in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, beof the centerline of the-socket member of the instant infor the center contact portion 18 and which may be readily inserted into the socket member 12. The assembly 26 includes a base 28 in the form of a panel-like disk and from whose upper surface 30 a pair of upstanding partial cylindrical walls 32 and 34 project, the base 28 and walls 32 and-34 preferably being constructed of a single unit of dielectric material. Further, the base 28 includes apair of different height support blocks 36 and 38 including annular bores 40 and 42, respectively.

A pair ofpanel-like shielding members 44 and 46, apertured as at 48 and 50, respectively, are provided and include depending pivot sleeve portions 52 and '54, respectively, telescopically and rotatably received in the corresponding annular bores 40 and 42, the undersurface portions of the panels or panel members 44 and 46 being slidably disposed on the upper surface portions of the support blocks 36 and 38.

Disposed outwardly of the upstanding walls 32 and 34 are a pair of arcuate wave springs 56 and 58 with end portions 60 and 62 anchored in apertures 64 and 66 formed in the walls 32 and .34, respectively. The other end portions of the wave springs 58 and 56 include laterally directed end portions 68 and 70 anchored in suitable apertures 72 and 74 formed in arm portions 76 and 78 of the panel members 44 and 46, respectively.

The wave springs 56 and 58 are disposed outwardly of the walls 32 and 34 and position the panel members 44 and 46, when in unbiased positions, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings with the unaper- 3 tured portions of the panel members 44 and 46 centrally disposed relative to the sleeve 16 and over the center contact portion 18. However, a thrust sleeve 80 is also; disposed about the walls 32 and 34 and rests upon'the upper surfaces of the springs 56 and 58. The thrust sleeve 80 is seatingly disposed in a counterbore 82 formed in an annular abutment sleeve 84 constructed of dielectric material and threadedly engaged in the threaded sleeve 16. The abutment sleeve 84 is centrally apertured as at 86 and defines a conical seat 88 for engagement by the base 90 of an electric bulb or fuse body being threadedly secured in the sleeve 16. The base 90 includes a center contact 92 adapted for engagement with the center contact portion 18 and upon threaded movement of the base 90 further inwardly of the sleeve 16, the abutment sleeve 84 will be threaded inwardly of the sleeve 16 with the base 90 and thereby urge the thrust sleeve 80 downwardly so as to compress the wave springs 56 and 58 axially of the socket l and thereby increase the effective length of the springs 56..and 58 effecting swinging movement of the arm portions 76 and 78 so as to swing the apertures 48 and 50 into registry with each other and the second contact portion 18 enabling the center'contact or element 92 toproject through the apertures 48 and 50 and engage the center contact portion 18. Accordingly, it may be seen that the shielding panels 44 and 46 will normally shield the center contact portion 18 from contact by a persons fingers or finger disposed within the socket 10. Although the threaded engagement of the abutment spring 84 with the sleeve 16 insures that the second socket portion 18 will notbe uncovered until a member such as the base 90 is threaded into the sleeve 16, the outer surface of the abutment sleeve 84 could be cylindrical and of a diameter slightly smaller than the minimum diameter of the sleeve 16 thereby not requiring it to be rotated in the manner of being threaded through the sleeve 16 but only that further en,- gagement of the base 90 within the sleeve 16 cause inward axial displacement of the abutment sleeve 84 toward the base 14.

It is of course to be understood that the wave springs 56 and 58 normally bias the abutment sleeve 84 outwardly of the socket 10. However, outward movement of the abutment sleeve 84is prevented by the further engagement of the abutment sleeve 84 with the sleeve 16. However, inasmuch as the springs 56 and 58 do bias the sleeve 84 outwardly; the sleeve 84 is maintained in frictional contact with the base 90 so asto be threaded outwardly of the sleeve 16 until such time as the wave springs 56 and 58 approach their unbiased conditions.

Further. it is to be noted that the assembly 26 illustrated in assembled position in FIG. 3 of the drawings equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l. A safety electrical socket member defining an elongated outwardly opening socket and including means defining side wall portions of said socket, at least one of which side wall portions defines a first electrical contact portion for engagement by a first contact ele-' ment of a body including first and second electrical contact elements adapted to be at least partially received in said socket, a second electrical contact portion supported from said socket member within the inner end of said socket and insulated relative to said first contact portion, and second electrical center contact portion shielding means supported from said socket member for movement between a first out-ofthe-way position adapting said second contact portion for engagement by a second contact element carried by said body upon longitudinal advancement of said body and thereby said second contact element into said socket and a second position overlying said second contact portion disposed between the latter and the open end of said socket and thereby shielding said second contact portion against being contacted by a persons finger inserted into said socket, means yieldingly biasing said shielding means toward said second position, and abutment means mounted in said socket for shifting longitudinally of the latter between inner and outer positions therein and engageable by said body for movement toward the inner position upon inward movement of said body in said socket, said abutment means being operatively associated with said shielding means to urge the latter, against its biasing means. toward its out-of-the-way position upon movement of said abutment means toward its inner position.

2. The'combination of claim 1 wherein saidabutment means'is normally biased toward its outer position. v

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said abutment means comprises a sleeve member generally concentrically disposed in said socket.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein at least some of said side wall portions define threads for threadingly receiving said body in said socket.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shielding means includes at least one panel member pivotally supported from said socket member in the inner end of said socket for rotation about an axis extending generally normal to the medial plane of said panel member and extending longitudinally of said socket.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said abutment means-comprises a sleve member generally concentrically disposed in said socket, said panel member including an operating arm portion shiftable generally circumferentially of said socket during pivotal movement of said panel member, and an arcuate wave spring disposed in said socket beneath said sleevemember and extending at least partially circumferentially thereabout, one end of said spring being anchored to said socket member and the other end being connected to said arm portion, said wave spring normally biasing said sleeve member toward its outer position and being compressible axially of said socket, upon inward movement of said sleeve member, to increase its effective length and swing said arm portion to pivot said panel member from its second position to its first position.

7. In combination with an electrical socket member of the type defining a socket including an inner end extremity and a center contact portion spaced slightly outwardly of said inner end extremity, an automatic contact shielding assembly .comprising -panel-like base having an opening formed thercthrough and seated in said socket with said center contact projecting at least slightly through said opening, contact shielding means supported from said base above the latter and movable transversely of said base between a first position out of axial alignment with said opening and a second position in axial alignment with said opening so as to be positioned to shield said center contact, means operatively connected between said base and said contact shielding means yieldingly urging the latter toward said second position, actuator means connected to said shielding means and disposed in said socket member above said base and movable toward and away from the latter, said actuator means being adapted for engagement by a bulb or fuse base being displaced into said socket and operable, upon displacement toward said base, to effect movement of said shielding means toward said first position.

8. In combination an electrical socket member defining an elongated socket including an inner end extremlongitudinally thereof outwardly of said contact shielding means between inner and outer positions, means biasing said abutment toward said outer position, said abutment being operatively connected with said contact shielding means for shifting'the latter between said active and inactive positions in response to shifting of said abutment between its inner and outer positions.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said socket is internally threaded and said abutment is threadedly engaged in said socket. 

1. A safety electrical socket member defining an elongated outwardly opening socket and including means defining side wall portions of said socket, at least one of which side wall portions defines a first electrical contact portion for engagement by a first contact element of a body including first and second electrical contact elements adapted to be at least partially received in said socket, a second electrical contact portion supported from said socket member within the inner end of said socket and insulated relative to said first contact portion, and second electrical center contact portion shielding means supported from said socket member for movement between a first out-of-the-way position adapting said second contact portion for engagement by a second contact element carried by said body upon longitudinal advancement of said body and thereby said second contact element into said socket and a second position overlying said second contact portion disposed between the latter and the open end of said socket and thereby shielding said second contact portion against being contacted by a person''s finger inserted into said socket, means yieldingly biasing said shielding means toward said second position, and abutment means mounted in said socket for shifting longitudinally of the latter between inner and outer positions therein and engageable by said body for movement toward the inner position upon inward movement of said body in said socket, said abutment means being operatively associated with said shielding means to urge the latter, against its biasing means, toward its out-of-the-way position upon movement of said abutment means toward its inner position.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said abutment means is normally biased toward its outer position.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said abutment means comprises a sleeve member generally concentrically disposed in said socket.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein at least some of said side wall portions define threads for threadingly receiving said body in said socket.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shielding means includes at least one panel member pivotally supported from said socket member in the inner end of said socket for rotation about an axis extending generally normal to the medial plane of said panel member and extending longitudinally of said socket.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said abutment means comprises a sleve member generally concentrically disposed in said socket, said panel member including an operating arm portion shiftable generally circumferentially of said socket during pivotal movement of said panel member, and an arcuate wave spring disposed in said socket beneath said sleeve member and extending at least partially circumferentially thereabout, one end of said spring being anchored to said socket member and the other end being connected to said arm portion, said wave spring normally biasing said sleeve member toward its outer position and being compressible axially of said socket, upon inward movement of said sleeve member, to increase its effective length and swing said arm portion to pivot said panel member from its second position to its first position.
 7. In combination with an electrical socket member of the type defining a socket including an inner end extremity and a center contact portion spaced slightly outwardly of said inner end extremity, an automatic contact shielding assembly comprising panel-like base having an opening formed therethrough and seated in said socket with said center contact projecting at least slightly through said opening, contact shielding means supported from said base above the latter and movable transversely of said base between a first position out of axial alignment with said opening and a second position in axial alignment with said opening so as to be positioned to shield said center contact, means operatively connected between said base and said contact shielding means yieldingly urging the latter toward said second position, actuator means connected to said shielding means and disposed in said socket member above said base and movable toward and away from the latter, said actuator means being adapted for engagement by a bulb or fuse base being displaced into said socket and operable, upon displacement toward said base, to effect movement of said shielding means toward said first position.
 8. In combination an electrical socket member defining an elongated socket including an inner end extremity and a center contact portion spaced slightly outwardly of said inner end extremity, contact shielding means supported from said base for lateral shifting between an active position overlying said center contact slightly outwardly of the latter and an inactive position disposed to one side of a line containing said contact and extending longitudinally of said socket, a centrally apertured abutment mounted in said socket for shifting longitudinally thereof outwardly of said contact shielding means between inner and outer positions, means biasing said abutment toward said outer position, said abutment being operatively connected with said contact shielding means for shifting the latter between said active and inactive positions in response to shifting of said abutment between its inner and outer positions.
 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said socket is internally threaded and said abutment is threadedly engaged in said socket. 